WeCool Toys is entering a new era.

Paladone struck a deal to acquire WeCool Toys, the New Jersey-based company behind Compound Kings and a wide array of slime, compounds, activity sets, R/C vehicles, and more.

WeCool Toys was founded by industry vets Jeff Osnato and Ross Alber in 2016 and has grown to include thousands of products across multiple categories sold in 35 countries.

Paladone is a leader in licensed consumer products spanning housewares, lighting, games and puzzles, health and beauty, and drinkware. The company says that its acquisition of WeCool is part of a strategic plan to grow by leveraging its licensing relationships into new product lines.

I am delighted to welcome WeCool Toys to the Paladone family. It has built strong customer appeal through innovation and creativity in a number of growing toy segments. This acquisition is a great step in our evolution to becoming a global leader in trend-led, consumer goods. I am confident that with the full support of Paladone behind WeCool Toys, we will take this fast-growing business to even greater heights."
Jim Downey, CEO, Paladone

Under the new deal, Osnato will stay on as President of WeCool Toys reporting to Downey.

“Combining our talents and resources, this acquisition is a promise to our customers, employees, and partners,” Osnato says. “Together we are stronger, more agile, and ready to seize the opportunities which lie ahead.”

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

archivearrow-chevron-downarrow-chevron-left-greyarrow-chevron-leftarrow-chevron-rightarrow-fatarrow-left-blackarrow-left-whitearrow-right-blackarrow-rightarrow-roundedbookscalendarcaret-downclose-whiteclosedocumenteditorial-archiveeyefacebook-squarefacebookfilesgifthamburgerheadinghearthomeinstagram-squareinstagramlatestlinkedin-squarelinkedinmailmedia-inquiresmessagenewsopen-boxpagination-leftpagination-rightpauseplayprintproduct-archiverecent-productssearchsharesort-filterspotifysunteamtiktoktime_purpletimetrendingtvtwitter-squaretwitteryoutube